Compact, inline thermal imager gets
even more features and a rental option

Micro-Epsilon has now enhanced its inline infrared thermal imaging camera with a host of new features, accessories and mounting options, including a protective enclosure that allows the device to operate in ambient temperatures up to 200 deg C - making the unit ideal for monitoring the temperature of steel, ceramics and glass.

Powered and operated via a USB 2.0 interface, the thermoIMAGER TIM160 is an inline radiometric thermal imaging camera that provides temperature images and profiles of a target area. This plug-and-play unit comes with a full software package (included in the unit price), that enables the user to configure all the parameters of the device, as well as enabling the real time capture (at 100Hz full frame rate) and storage of images or video of an event for slow motion play back or snapshots at a later date - an important feature in many R&D and failure diagnostics work.

Micro-Epsilon is now offering the thermoIMAGER TIM160 with a variety of new features and accessories. Rather than supplying the device with a single factory calibrated optical lens, the user now has the option of up to three interchangeable lenses (9, 31 and 64 degree FOV). For R&D test engineers who may be unsure of which applications they will use the device for, the three interchangeable lenses cater for every possible field of view for temperature monitoring tasks.

Other features and accessories now provided with the thermoIMAGER TIM160 include a traceable certificate of calibration (one for each individual lens), a tripod mount (adjustable from 200mm up to 1,000mm), a rugged carrying case, USB cables (from 1m up to 100m) and process control and analysis software.

Unlike a handheld thermal imaging camera, the thermoIMAGER TIM160 is fixed into position in a production line or R&D lab in order to monitor the temperature profile of target materials or objects. The camera is well suited to process control, quality and R&D applications, across a wide range of industries, including plastics, packaging, machine building, FMCG, thermoforming, automotive, paper, printing, textiles, food, chemicals & pharmaceuticals, medical engineering, universities and other educational establishments.

Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon (UK) Ltd comments: "The range of options now available for the thermoIMAGER TIM, as well as the new features that we have added, enable users to mount the device in almost any process environment or R&D application. We have a wide variety of mounting brackets that cater for almost every type of installation, as well as a variety of protective enclosures that allow the device to be installed in washdown or high temperature environments. Our water cooling jacket option, for example, enables the device to be used in temperatures up to 200 deg C."

"Patrol monitoring a process plant using relatively expensive handheld thermal imaging cameras to monitor critical plant and machinery is not a viable option for many companies. However, the thermoIMAGER TIM160 can be installed in a fixed position next to a critical component or part of a production line, to constantly monitor a target. Available for £4,995, including full software functionality, our low cost solution is already proving to be a very attractive option for many predictive maintenance applications."

New Rental Option Helps Justify Capital Spend
"We are also offering a new rental option, whereby customers can choose to hire the device on a weekly basis before committing to a full purchase, for just £430. This allows users to evaluate the device fully in their own application and environment, which will in turn help to justify the capital expenditure," adds Jones.

The thermoIMAGER TIM160 is compact and lightweight and made from anodised aluminium. The camera housing measures 45mm x 45mm x 62mm and weighs just 250g (including lens and a 1m USB cable), enabling easy mounting in restricted spaces. The rugged device is protected to IP65 (NEMA-4) and is powered (5V DC) via the USB 2.0 interface, with a maximum current draw of 500mA.

The system is compatible with Windows XP/Vista, enabling easy integration of thermal imaging information with mini-PCs, rail mounted PCs and industrial embedded PCs and PLCs. A DLL is provided so that the user can export thermal imaging data from the process imager into customer-specific software.

For further information on Micro-Epsilon's thermoIMAGER TIM160, e-mail: info@micro-epsilon.co.uk   

NPL is using the Olympus LEXT OLS4000 to
develop real surface texture measuring standards

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is using the Olympus LEXT OLS4000 in a project to establish good practice guidelines for the calibration of 3D/areal surface texture measuring instruments. The NPL project will establish robust and easy to use calibration steps and reference standards for all the major areal surface measurement instrumentation technologies, with the LEXT chosen as the reference imaging confocal microscope.

Prof Leach is pictured here using the Olympus LEXT OLS4000. Prof Leach's team is defining good practice guidelines using archetypal examples of: stylus instruments; white light interferometers; focus variation instruments; and confocal microscopes.

The good practice guide on calibration of confocal microscopes will also provide input to the upcoming ISO 25187-707 standard. Instruments capable of providing areal surface texture information, such as the Olympus LEXT OLS4000 confocal microscope, are becoming increasingly popular, but currently lack any traceability routes. As a result, ISO standards are being prepared by a team led by Prof Richard Leach, Principal Research Scientist at the NPL. As an important component of these standards, Prof Leach's team is defining good practice guidelines using archetypal examples of: stylus instruments; white light interferometers; focus variation instruments; and confocal microscopes. The project will use a range of artefacts to characterise the scaling, linearity, orthogonality, angular response, repeatability and resolution of the X, Y and Z axes. The LEXT OLS4000 is being used by Prof Leach's team as the archetypical confocal instrument, although the guide will not be specific to the Olympus instrument.

Prof Leach commented, "All measurement techniques require comprehensive reference standards to ensure consistency across the various instruments and technologies. These standards must also include robust, yet easy-to-use, calibration steps for each technology and, therefore, it is essential to have access to typical examples of each technology." As well as enabling the generation of good practice guides, the project will also define the reference areal artefacts to be used during calibration. Once the project is complete, users of areal surface measurement instruments will be able to obtain a calibration 'bento' box with the guidelines and artefacts to ensure better accuracy both within and between instruments and projects.

Olympus LEXT OLS4000
The Olympus LEXT OLS4000 has a large and very fast MEMS scanning mirror along with dual pinholes, which provides one of the most advanced measuring confocal laser scanning microscopy in the market. The larger mirror enables the system to provide superior optical quality, and the increased scan speed reduces the time it takes to create a 3D image of a sample. The 405 nm laser and dual pinholes operate simultaneously to ensure that the system provides the highest possible resolution and contrast as well as enabling steep slope detection up to 85º, ensuring that even the most complex of surface topographies can be imaged and analysed. These features, along with its accurate Z-drive and stage combine seamlessly with the advanced, yet intuitive, software interface to provide the measurement capabilities and

For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu  Refer to page 294   

Thermo Fisher Scientific adds new
sizes to biological safety cabinet product line

Two new sizes of Thermo Scientific MSC-Advantage biological safety cabinets have been added to further expand its existing range of energy efficient Thermo Scientific Class II biological safety cabinets. The new 0.9 meter and 1.5 meter models provide an additional level of choice and flexibility. The 0.9 meter model is ideal for personal use in a space-restricted laboratory, while the 1.5 meter cabinet provides a larger usable workspace in a compact footprint. With up to 75 percent lower operating costs than traditional biological safety cabinets, the complete range of Thermo Scientific MSC-Advantage biological safety cabinets are good for you and good for the environment.

For space savings, the exterior footprint of the MSC-Advantage™ biological safety cabinet is minimized, while providing a full interior width of 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 or 1.8 meters. All models are independently tested and certified to EN 12469. In addition, the highly efficient DC motor technology effectively reduces energy consumption, as well as the associated operating costs. The full line of MSC-Advantage Class II biological safety cabinets incorporates the unique SmartFlow™ airflow compensation system that maintains a safe environment for the user. This feature is combined with Digital Airflow Verification (DAVe), which independently monitors product and personnel protection, alerting users when safety is compromised. Furthermore, an ergonomic design, reduced noise levels and the SmartClean™ window cleaning position make this cabinet range comfortable to use and easy to maintain.

For further information, view website: www.thermoscientific.com/bsc  Refer to page 293 

La-Pha-Pack stainless steel crimping tools

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today introduced the La-Pha-Pack stainless steel cleanroom crimping tools for a controlled, low-effort method of vial sealing. Available in a range of sizes, from 11 to 20 mm, the optimal crimp is provided for a variety of vial sizes. Made entirely from stainless steel, it provides maximum durability and easily withstands dry heat sterilization or autoclaving. The product range is ideal for highly sensitive chromatography cleanroom applications where it essential that the environment remains free from any potential contaminants.

The mechanism of the La-Pha-Pack crimping tools is both corrosion- and heat-resistant, making it extremely durable with a long lifespan. Furthermore, the stainless steel construction removes the need for any protective coating on the handle or crimp head. Pressure and height of the La-Pha-Pack stainless steel crimping tools are easily adjustable, enabling optimal torque to be applied to a wide variety of vial styles.

For further information, view website: www.la-pha-pack.com